News

Sailors’ Society has appointed a director of development as part of a new approach to growing the charity’s resources.

Adam Stacey, the Society’s former commercial director, has added fundraising to his remit with the creation of a new development department.

His appointment comes as part of the charity’s plan to build on its foundation of support from the maritime industry by diversifying its funding streams, which will enable it to further develop its work supporting seafarers and their families around the world.

Adam said: “As we approach our 200th anniversary, we’ve responded to the many needs of seafarers and their families by expanding our welfare and support programme.

“We’ve now got almost 120 chaplains and ship visitors, and over the past three years, we’ve carried out a number of projects in seafaring communities, from rebuilding homes after Typhoon Haiyan to providing boats for children to travel to school.

“New technologies are giving us more opportunities for innovation – such as the development of our Wellness at Sea and Ship Visitor apps – and we have many more ideas in the pipeline to make seafarers’ lives better.

“We’ve had incredible support from the maritime industry to enable us to get these projects off the ground, but as our work continues to grow it’s important that we find new, additional income streams to fund our campaigns.”

As part of this strategy, the charity is looking at new commercial projects as well as raising awareness and funds from businesses outside the maritime industry and the general public.

Adam said: “With more than 90 per cent of everything we use in the UK transported by sea, we are all reliant on seafarers, so there are many opportunities to broaden our supporter base.”

In August, Sailors’ Society launched a brand of charity coffee, BySea. Over the next three years, Adam has plans to launch more products and open a number of unique charity shops, including a Sailors’ Society BySea coffee shop in Southampton.

He added that he will be making new fundraising appointments as part of the expanding development team.

“We’ve got a growing emphasis on partnering with supporters for mutual benefit, rather than just asking them for money,” he said.

Adam joined Sailors’ Society as commercial director in November 2015. Prior to this, he spent three years as CEO of a local charity in Hampshire and brings experience of running project-based social enterprises as well as being involved in a number of commercial businesses.

Stuart Rivers, CEO of Sailors’ Society, said: “Adam’s appointment in 2015 was both timely and strategic and I am delighted he is leading our development team. His experience will enable the Society to build sustainable growth by diversifying our funding streams and adopting a more efficient approach.

“I hope that this integrated approach will show our supporters that we are committed to delivering the maximum return on their donations.”

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